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Chapter 3
Thursday: Tour to Lefkimmi
Not to be too lazy we have to undertake something once again. It is
recommended to go to the south of the island with the "green bus" which
rides far down to the southernmost town Kavos. The travel guide
tells that this is the British Ballermann and everyone confirms
that there is much tourism. So we decide to visit the biggest village of
the southern island: Lefkimmi.
On the tour we pass nice countrysides,
mainly olive groves. It is to be heard that there are some problems concerning
the harvest of olives. The people use black nets which are spread out at
the ground. The collection of the olives is a heavy work and too hard for
the older people. But the younger emigrate or are too expensive. So the
future is insecure.
Sometimes we see the sea at the other (western) coast. We pass two original
villages named Argirades and Perivoli. At Lefkimmi we leave
the bus at the bridge of the river Himaros. And it is very scenic
around there, picturesque fisher boats as promised by the catalogues. On
the other hand there are few tourists, and if you see one he may be a half
naked gentleman. We are receipted by a friendly dog which looks like a
setter. He accompanies us at our walk around. We walk along the river,
there is a church, a graveyard and gardens with chicken houses. Two fishermen
lie in their boats on the river and untangle their nets.
We go back, cross the bridge and enter a picturesque small square. We
sit down and argue about two little linen sacks hanging out of a window.
We suppose yoghurt or goat cheese in them. We continue towards some gardens
and have a probe of the blossoms of a mulberry tree. Another olive grove,
and then a man on a donkey comes up, his wife toddling behind. The locals
seem to have never heard something about emancipation.
We find ourselves at the place in front of the church. There is a fine
tavern with shaded seats and tables under the leafs of vine. Jonathan is
in form and has no linguistic problems with the locals, who as usual are
grouped together in the tavern to discuss and decide about the world's
future. The main communication tool is laughter, and soon some older gentlemen
with wrinkled and tanned faces sit around us. Jonathan gets a chain of
small glassballs like a rosary (known as comboloi), which every
Greek has with him to relax the nervous hands and fingers.
Meanwhile I have climbed up the stairs to the church for a nice view
down to the village. As we have finished our Greek coffee we head for the
bridge at the river and await the 12 o'clock bus. We have to wait a long
time, after half an hour the bus comes up and we can go back for an enjoyable
afternoon.
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Chapter 3
